Tour Description 

Birding is a popular and recreational activity enjoyed by everyone. And if you are in Bhutan you will get a chance to witness some rare and beautiful species. This mystic land is endowed with rich natural beauty and thus this land houses over six hundred bird species. During your birding tour in Bhutan, you may catch a glimpse of some endemic and endangered species such as Cuckoos, Swifts, Bee-eaters, Warblers, Flycatchers, Imperial Heron,and Black-Necked Crane as well as Nuthatch and Blyth’s Kingfisher. Bhutan truly is a paradise for the bird watchers and it is an important place of biological significance in the world. The country boasts of rare bird species and flora and fauna in locations such as Phobjikha Valley, Bumdeling, Trongsa, Bumthang, Tingtibi, Punakha,and Thimphu. These places are ideal for bird watching.

Day 1 :Arrive in Paro

If you arrive in Paro earlyin the morning, we will take you around to visit the National Museum of Bhutanand Rinpung Dzong (a fortress-like structure). We can also take you for a leisurely stroll around the Paro town which has a number of handicraft shops. On the evening of your arrival in Bhutan, you will be introduced to the birds of Bhutan and birding destinations through a presentation, slide shows, a talk, and a questionand answer session.

Day 2:Paro

Located between 2,150 metres and 2,950 metres above sea level, Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the kingdom. Paro presents some of the exciting birding spots in Bhutan. The birding spots include farmland, lower and upper broad-leaved forests, riversides, and sub-alpine forests.

Some bird species in Paro are: Aberrant Bush Warbler (Cettiaflavoivacea), Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalusdumetorum), Himalayan Whistling Thrush (Myophonuscaeruleus), Common Teal (Ana crecca), Grey-headed Flycatcher Warbler (Seicercusxanthoschistos), Green-backed Tit (Parusmonticolus), Hodgson’s Redstart (Phoenicurushodgsoni), Jungle Crow (Corvusmacrorhynchos), Himalayan Brown Dipper (Cincluspallasi), Crestee Honey Buzzard (Pernisptilorhyncus), Himalayan Treecreeper (Certhiahimalayana), Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris), Rufous-breasted Accentor (Prunellastrophiata), Rufous Turtle Dove (Streptoppeliaorientalis), Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetuskienerii), Stripe-throated Yuhina (Yuhinagularis), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotusethologus).

Day 3:Paro to Thimphu

Time: 2 hrs
Distance: 54 km

Today, we drive from Paro to Thimphu which takes us across sparsely forested, rocky hillsides. Thimphu valley is much more crowded than the Paro valley. Thimphu valley is surrounded by blue pine and temperate evergreen forests. However, the growing human and vehicle population and disappearing green spaces have pushed birds further away from the valley. The nearest birding spots are at least 10 km from the valley. The best birding spots are around the stream near Motithang and around Begana and Cheri areas.

The recorded bird species in Thimphu include: Common Sandpiper (Tringahypoleucos), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundadaurica), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus melaschistos), Grackle or Hill Myna (Graculareligiosa), Grey Wagtail (Motacillacaspica), White-bellied Yuhina (Yuhinaxanthoteuca), Upland Pipit (Anthussylvanus), Plumbeous Redstart (Rhyacornisfuliginosus).

Day 4 :Thimphu to Punakha & Wangduephodrang

Time: 2hrs 30 mins
Distance: 75 km

Today, we drive from Thimphu to the Dochula Pass at 3,050metres and from there descend some 1,800 metres to Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys through a temperate forest and then through semi-tropical forests

Common birds species found in the two valleys are: Black-chinned Yuhina (Yuhinanigrimenta), Spotted Dove (Streptopeliachinensis), Black-chinned Babbler (Stachyrispyrrhops), Black-breasted Sunbird (Aethopygasaturata), Red-breasted Rosefinch (Carpodacuspuniceus), Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker (Picoidesmacei), Large Grey Babbler (Turdoides malcolmi), Himalaya Tree Pie (Dendrocitravagabunda), Little Bunting (Emberizastriolata). Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurusschistaceus), White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Yellow-billed Blue Magpie (Cissaflavirostris), Grey Heron (Ardeacinerea), Steppe Eagle (Aquila rapaxnipalensis), Small Niltava (Muscicapamacgrigoriae), Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis), Speckled Wood Pigeon (Columbia hodgsonii), Grey Tit (Parus major) and Red-crowned Jay (Garrulusglandarius).

Day 5 :Punakha & Wangduephodrang to Gangtey/Phobjikha

Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 70 km

Today, we drive from Wangduephodrang to Phobjikha, the famous winter roosting ground of the black-necked crane. We take the Wangdue-Trongsa highway eastward. We climb the Pelela Pass, one of the major mountain passes in Bhutan. Before we hit the crest of the mountain, we leave the highway behind and head towards Gangtey.

As we descend onto the Phobjikha valley, we pass through forests of oak and rhododendron. The journey is easy with regular stops for birding and photography along the way. The wide Phobjikha valley with a silvery stream meandering through is not only the wintering ground for the black-necked crane, but also home to a number of bird species which feed and live on the valley floor.

The bird species thriving in this part of Wangduephodrang District are: Amur Falcon (Falco vesertinus), Red-mantled Rosefinch (Carpodacusrhodochlamys), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeumignipectus), Red-headed Bullfinch (Pyrrhulaerythrocephala), Scarlet Finch (Haemmatospizasipahi), White-tailed Nuthatch (Sittahimalayensis), Magpie-Robin (Copsychussaularis), Goldcrest (Regulusregulus), Great Pied Hornbill (Bucerosbicornis), Common Hill Partridge (Arborophilatorqueola), Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota), Rufous-breasted Accenter (Prunellastrophiata), White-backed Munia (Lonchurastriata).

Day 6 :Gangtey to Trongsa

Time: 5 hrs
Distance: 130 km

Today, we drive back to the Wangdue-Trongsa highway and cross the Pelela Pass. The road today crisscrosses a wide range of habitats including dense moss- and lichen-laden evergreen forests and oak and rhododendron forests containing broad-leaved trees such as horse-chestnuts, laurels, maples and alders.

At higher elevations, the vegetation is dominated by coniferous trees like fir, spruce, larch, hemlock, and juniper. The bamboo habitat in this region is home to a number of special, but elusive, species.

This region is not a popular birding area. However, a few important species such as the following can be found here: Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis), Himalayan Swiftlet (Collocaliabrevirostris), Lammergeier (Gypaetusbarbatus), Snow Partridge (Lerwalerwa), Purple Cochoa (Cochoapurpurea), Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler (Pnoepygaalbiventer), Long-tainedMinivet (Pericrocotusethologus), Himalayan Monal Pheasant (Lophophorusimpejanus), Speckled Wood Pigeon (Columba hodgsonii) and Rufous-bellied Bulbul (Hypsipetesmcclellandi).

Day 7 :Trongsa to Chamkhar (Bumthang)

Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 68 km

Today, we climb from 2,100 metres in Trongsa to Yotongla Pass at 3,400 metres before we descend to Chamkhar valley at 2,600 metres. Along the way, the vegetation changes from temperate forests in Trongsa to coniferous and mixed alpine forests in Bumthang. The best birding spots in this part of the country are the area before we reach Yotongla Pass, the farmland in the valley, and by the banks of Chamkharchhu River.

Some bird of this area include: Goldcrest (Regulusregulus), Blyth’s Pipit (Anthusgodlewskii), Common Sandpiper (Tringahypoleucos), Little Bunting (Emberizafucata), Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocoraxgraculus) and Cormorant (Phalacrocoraxcarbo).

Day 8 : Chamkhar to Ura

Time: 2 hrs
Distance: 50 km

The road towards Ura snakes across mesmerizingly beautiful countryside. Ura is the highest valley of Bumthang. The road reaches its highest point at Ura La Pass at 3,600 metres. Ura village is among the characteristically clustered villages of Bhutan. Today, we spend the day exploring Ura valley and village.

We spend the night in tents pitched in the open.

Day 9: Ura to Lingmithangin Mongar

Time: About 2 hours
Distance: 80 km

Today, the road climbs through forests of firs with rhododendron undergrowth. Some stretches of the road cut across sheer cliffs and rocky hills. The road reaches Thrumsengla at 3,750 m, the highest pass in the country. From there, the road descends to the roadside village of Sengor. This area is home to Thrumsengla region’s most special bird, Monal LophophorusImpejanus.

The important species thriving in this area are: Black Bulbul (Hypsipetesleucocephalus), Blyth’s Pipit (Anthusgodlewskii), Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurusaeneus), Gould’s Shortwing (Brachypteryxstellata), Red-headed Bullfinch (Pyrrhulaerythrocephala), Speckled Piculet (Picumnusinnominatus), Grey Wagtail (Motacillacaspica), White-throatedMunia (Lonchuramalabarica), White-browed Blue Flycatcher (Muscicapaleucomelanura), Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeummelanoxanthuon), Blue-beaed Bee-Eater (Nyctyornisathertoni), Parrotbill (Paradoxornisnipalensis), Honeyguide (Indicator xanthonotus), Red-vented Bulbul (Pyconotuscafer), Lesser Racket-Tailed Drongo (Dicrurusremifer), Fantail Warbler (Cisticolaexilis) and Rufous-throated Hill Partridge (Arborophilarufogularis).

Day 10 :Lingmithang through Mongar to Trashigang

Time: 4 hrs
Distance: 118 km

A few kilometres from Lingmithang, we reach KuriZampa where a bridge spans over the Kurichhu River. A choeten or stupahere was built in 1800 in the style of Nepal’s Boudhanath stupa to hold the precious religious objects of Zhongar Dzong when the dzong was abandoned. Today, Mongar Dzong, built in 1953, is both the administrative and monastic centre of the district.

The eastern districts of Mongar and Trashigang are not particularly interesting for birding. So, the last two days of the tour are spent for cultural experience. From Mongar, we climb to the Korila Pass at 2,450m. Seven kilometres from the pass, we reach the village of Ngatshang which was the headquarters of a principality before the country was consolidated under the Drukpa rule in the 17th century.

From Ngatshang, the road descends across Yadi village to Sherichhu Stream. A dirt road branches off from there towards Dramitse Monastery, the ancestral home of Dramitse religious aristocrats who were descendants of the great 15th century treasure discoverer, Pema Lingpa.

Trashigang town lies 20 km from the point the Dramitse road branches off from the highway. As we approach the bridge over Drangmechhu River, one of the major rivers of Bhutan, we can see Trashigang Dzong precariously standing on a spur overlooking the Drangmechhu gorge. The dzong, as all the dzong in Bhutan, is the centre of district administration and monastic body.

We spend the night in a lodge in Trashigang town.

 

Day 11 :Trashigang to Mongar

Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 91 km

Today, we return to Mongar by the same road we came to Trashigang. We will spend the afternoon exploring the growing town of Mongar and its surroundings.

We spend the night in a lodge in the town.

Day 12 :Mongar to Bumthang

Time: 7 hrs
Distance: 198 km

We start the journey early today so that we reach Bumthang for lunch. After lunch, visit the Yathra (woolen cloth) weaving centre and local market.

We spend the night in a lodge in the town.

 

Day 13 :Bumthang to Thimphu

Time: 8 hrs 
Distance: 268 km

Today, en route to Thimphu, we visit village houses and interact with local people. We halt for lunch in Wangduephodrang town.

Drive to Thimphu after lunch for overnight stay.

Day 14 :Thimphu to Paro Airport

Time: 2 hrs

Distance: 55 km